Photos from the National Library of Ireland…
You can see I got carried away. There are so many great photos of Irish dog-lovers to share. See more here. Last but not least, is this image of Patrick Sullivan's bar. I hope you can find a place like this to meet your friends, raise a pint, and most importantly, bring your dog…
Cheers.
My sister Sheila is in charge of show and tell today at her daughter's school. She is taking photos of our Irish grandmother, Kathleen Dee Kiely. We called her Nana. I loved the idea, so I am posting them here too for my show and tell. Nana died ten years ago at the age of 92. I miss her.
I met my grandfather when I was a child, but I don't remember him. He died young of emphysema. I recently discovered a book entitled On Another Man's Wound: A Personal History of Ireland's War of Independence
by Ernie O'Malley. Jerry Kieley is one of the men involved in the fight. My mother isn't sure if it is her father because the last name is spelled differently. But we know he was part of the war, and when I read this description, I liked to believe it was him:
For I don't know it may be so,
But a bachelor is easy and he's free,
For I've lots to look after
And I'm living all alone
And there's no one looking after me.
I wish I had a night by the fire with him to hear his stories. So many questions.
When my mother was a teenager, the family got a dog, a Boxer named Lance after the knight. Her father took some wonderful photos of her and Jerry and Lance. Last year, I put them together into this video for her birthday:
This photo is of Nana and me at my sister Regan's baptism in Cleveland, 1973. I love her Jackie O suit. And I can see the charm bracelet she always wore with eights hearts with each of her grandchildren's names inscribed on them. She always jingled and that sound, when I hear it on someone else, makes me think of her. That, and the smell of Scotch on the rocks, not in a boozey way, but in a homey, one drink before dinner, Nana is in town and we're eating at the big table tonight way. Cozy.
Anyway, my mother always said a true Irishman doesn't need to wear green. So without any shamrocks or leprechauns or pots of gold (not that there's anything wrong with them), wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day. And if your grandparents are still a part of your life, pick up the phone and ask them about theirs.
CafePress has introduced kelly green shirts just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Artist Donna Yuen of Dogs Ink seized the opportunity and made "Irish for a Day" designs for dozens of breeds. Here are a few of my picks based on readers' dogs. Find your breed here.
It’s not to late to send a Jacquie Lawson e-card for this St. Patrick’s Day. The screen shot above is from "Digging For Gold." It’s adorable!
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m featuring the Irish Wolfhound on Dog Art Today. Of course the breed has standards and descriptions from The AKC, but I think this passage from "The Icelandic Saga of Nial" sums up these amazing dogs best…
"I will give thee a dog which I got in Ireland. He is huge of limb, and for a follower equal to an able man. Moreover, he hath a man’s wit and will bark at thine enemies but never at thy friends. And he will see by each man’s face whether he be ill or well disposed to thee. And he will lay down his life for thee.” —- Beautiful!
Quote and photo (above) courtesy of Rohan Irish Wolfhounds.
Postcard published by W.E. Mack, London (courtesy of IrishWolfhounds.org)
Hilary Jupp of Sussex, England runs what may be the most comprehensive Irish Wolfhound site on the Web. A former breeder, owner, and publisher of Irish Wolfhound Quarterly, Jupp now devotes her time to preserving the breed’s history, which was slowly disappearing, in digital format. Her website, IrishWolfhounds.org is a true labor of love and a treasure trove of stories, photos, art, legend and practical knowledge about this majestic animal. Here are some my favorite images courtesy of Hilary Jupp.
Comrades by Herbert Dicksee, late 19th century. An Irish Wolfhound sleeps with a Westie.
The Empty Chair by O.B. MacCammon, 1912.
Portrait by Malcolm Nicholson, circa 1932
Time For A Guinness by John Baker
End Of The Hunt, artist unknown
Photo by Heather Beckettt, contemporary
Irish Wolfhound lovers and dog lovers in general owe a debt of gratitude to Hilary Jupp for her passionate devotion to the breed. Thank you Hilary for all your hard work and for bringing us a smile from your beloved Wolfhounds on this St. Patrick’s Day!
Some T-shirts are my designs from DreamDogsArt. Some are from other dog loving artists. I think all are great gear to help you celebrate your dog and your Irish spirit on St. Patrick’s Day. Order early to save on shipping!
Kiss Me I’m Boston Irish junior women’s T-shirt from DreamDogsArt.
Lucky Yellow Lab baby onesie from DreamDogsArt.
Kiss Me I’m German-Irish organic cotton T-shirt from DreamDogsArt.
Kerry Blue St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt from Maggie Ross Dog Art
Charming St. Patrick’s Day Basset Hound T-shirt from Dogs Ink. He looks like a Tammany Hall politician. "Vote early and often."
Super fun St. Patrick’s Day Scottie Men’s T-shirt from Scott Designs.
Go Green Yellow Lab St. Patrick’s Day black long sleeve T-shirt from OtterTail Art For Dog Lovers.
Irish flag dog T-shirt from The Rude Retro T-shirt Store.
For thousands more St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts for dog lovers click here.
With a name like Moira McLaughlin it’s never too early to gear up for St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some new fun items I just made to help you celebrate this year. I found this vintage photograph of Irish worker Terry McKune, circa 1915-1920, and his little dog in the Library of Congress archives. Little is known about the man or the photo, but I simply love it!
A package of 10 St. Patrick’s Day greeting cards (above). Inside reads, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” in an emerald green Celtic font.
I think it came out cool on T-shirts too:
St. Patrick’s Day men’s ringer T-shirt. My mother always said, “A true Irishman doesn’t need to wear green.”
If you do need to wear your Irish on your sleeve, the military green St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt might be right for you.
I’m all Irish, so I’m going with this longsleeved black St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt and will sport a strapping Irish laborer on my chest — oops — that came out wrong — or maybe not ; )
The mint green short sleeved t-shirt is a great option too. Bars do get hot when you’re drinking all day.
Ta daaaa! Coming in at number 1 on the most popular dog breed list is the Labrador Retriever. This seems exactly right as Chocolate, White, Yellow and Black Labs pop up everywhere in our lives and our culture these days. In LA they would be the Ford Explorer of dogs; sporty, nice looking, a little large for city-life, and ubiquitous. Also, super sweet. Here are some gift ideas for all the Lab lovers you know.
Yellow Lab greeting cards. I made this collage for my friend Katie. Her dog Wegman is happiest when she’s frolicking with Katie’s 4 children in their backyard. So I put Wegman in a “Magical Garden” of flowers that represent the month each child was born. Katie and her husband Matt’s flowers are included too. And Wegman is overjoyed! Framed prints and other great products with this collage are available at my DreamDogsArt Store.
Does your mom need something new to wear to dog shows this spring? A Labrador Retriever Mom t-shirt would be the perfect gift. Available in lots of colors and styles.
I couldn’t decide which Ken Bailey Labrador Retriever poster to feature so I’ll include them both: Three Lab Bakery and Black Dog Licorice.
Regular Dog Art Today readers know Ken is one of my all-time favorties!
A Sleeping June Yellow Lab mug from Georgia-based artist Will Eskridge would be a great Christmas gift, hostess gift, secret Santa or stocking stuffer. It would be nice to fill with doggie treats for your friend’s pet too!
Amy Reges’s Black Lab Christmas card. Amy has hundreds of lovely designs of Black Labs, Chocolate Labs and Yellow Labs for all occasions. She also offers original Lab-inspired sculptures, jewelry, silk scarves and custom paintings at her OtterTail Art website. Oh, Amy also breeds magnificent Labs on her NY farm — perfect one stop shopping for your dog and your artwork!
Lucky Yellow Lab porcelain ornament. It comes with a red ribbon for tree hanging and it would be perfect for the Irish Lab lover in your life. This image is also available on t-shirts if you’re shopping ahead for St. Patrick’s Day.
Framed Black Lab print by me, Moira McLaughlin. Also available on other products. Or you can get it as a signed unframed limited edition print at my Etsy store. It’s one of my most popular images.
A comfy Property of my Black Lab hooded sweatshirt would be great to wake up to on Christmas morning.
Premier dog artist Stephen Huneck’s limited edition giglee print, Sticks. A stunning Black Lab image with a timeless — and quintessentially holiday — message of peace.
